The Enchanted Islands
by John Hickman 1985
published by Anthony Nelson, England.

Chronicles the fitful history of the Galápagos Islands from Inca times and presents an intriguing cast of conquistadors, buccaneers, pirates, Robinson Crusoes, and Swiss Family Robinsons; as well as eccentric explorers, hopeful colonists and naturalists, including the most famous of all - Charles Darwin. Includes a useful bibliography of books published prior to 1985. First class book.

Darwin and the Beagle
by Alan Moorehead; 1971,
published by Penguin Books, London

Perfectly told and magnificantly illustrated from contemporary sources, this is the exciting story of a five-year circumnavigation which was to change the course of human thought. Includes one chapter on the Galápagos Islands.

My Father's Island
by Johanna Angermeyer 1989
published by Penguin, England.

Her father Hans and his four brothers had fled Nazi Germany in 1935 and sailed to the Galápagos Islands. For decades they lived a perilous Robinson Crusoe existence, surrounded by exotic wildlife. Then Hans died and his daughter, two thousand miles away, yearned to liver on the remote Pacific island her father had loved. Through sheer determination, her family returned to the Enchanted Isles and Johanna began to piece together the story of her parents' incredible lives, their forced separation and her father's tragic death.

Floreana
by Margret Wittmer 1989
published by Anthony Nelson, England.

Translated from the German by Oliver Coburn. A new edition of the remarkable and true story of the author's 56 years spent living on Floreana in the mystical and magical Galápagos Islands.

The Galápagos Affair
by John Treherne;
American edition published by Randon House;

True story about several odd groups of people who went to live on Floreana island. The story sweeps you along, building to a still unsolved murder or murders. Part of the suspence is coming up with your own explanation for what happened. Someone was lying, but who? It's also interesting to find out who of the settlers actually stayed and founded a colony more or less by accident.

The Beak of the Finch
by Jonathan Weiner 1995
published by Vintage, London.

This powerful and elegant book is a meditation on Darwinism, from its beginnings to our current planetary crisis…At its core is a study of the changes that are still happening to the 13 finch species that inhabit the Galápagos Islands.
General Guides

The Galápagos Islands
by Marylee Stephenson 1989
published by The Mountaineers, Seattle, USA.

The essential handbook for exploring, enjoying and understanding Darwin's Enchanted Islands. Visitors can use this guide to find the type of tour best suited to their interests. Once there, the book serves as a nature field guide, gives site-location references for snorkelers and scuba divers, and offers hints for those wishing to photograph the Galápagos' fascinating life forms. A "must have" book for understanding where you will be taken.

Ecuador and the Galápagos Islands 5th edition
by Rob Rachowieki; 2001
published by Lonely Planet, UK 528 pages paperback

Ecuador and the Galápagos Islands are covered in this comprehensive travel guide, designed for all budgets. Features of the text include: over 50 detailed regional and city maps; information on Ecuador's national parks and reserves; and background essays on wildlife, geography, people and places. Advice on accommodation, eating and travelling around is also provided.

Galápagos Wildlife: A Visitor's Guide
by David Horwell & Pete Oxford; 1999
published by Bradt Travel Guides, 144 pages paperback

Covers every aspect of both land and marine wildlife from the giant tortoises to the thirteen species of Darwin's finches. Includes information on the islands' various habitats, their conservation and ecology plus details of popular sites each illustrated with full-colour trail plans. Over 120 colour photographs, maps.

Galápagos: A Natural History
by Michael Jackson 1998
published by University of Calgary Press, 315 pages

Details the natural history of the plants and animals found in the Galápagos Islands. Accented with numerous illustrations, it also provides an annotated list of the dominant plants according to vegetation zone.

The Galápagos Archipelago 4th edition
by Pierre Constant; 2000
published by Odyssey Publications 302 pages paperback

Provides detailed descriptions of the geology and natural history of the archipelago, the visitors' sites, as well as the spectacular sea and land birds, peculiar reptiles, playful mammals and amazing marine life that make their homes there. His superb photographs complement the text excellently. Written by a world-recognized expert. Fascinating scientific and historical background. Meticulous descriptions of the flora and fauna and extensive coverage of the 19 largest islands in the archipelago. Detailed discussion and listing of 52 dive sites. Includes a glossary and bibliography.

Wildlife of the Galápagos: Collins Safari Guide
by Julian Fitter, Daniel Fitter and David Hosking; 2000
published Collins, UK, 254 pages paperback

This guide contains photographs and descriptions of over 250 species you are likely to encounter on a trip to these remote Galápagos Islands. Although perhaps best known for its giant tortoises, many other mammals, reptiles, coastal and marine life, birds, plants and invertebrates are also included. In addition, there is information on the history of the islands, climate, conservation, the Galápagos National Park and the volcanism of the area.
Specialised Guides

Galápagos Diary: A Complete Guide to the Archipelago's Birdlife
by H. Heinzel & B. Hall; 2000
published by Adlard Coles Nautical, 272 pages paperback

Recently published and well illustrated. The first section of this book is a tour around each of the islands describing in words, illustrations and photographs the habitats and wildlife and highlighting some of the strange breeding strategies of the archipelago's birds. The second section is a detailed "field guide" with sketches, photographs and maps.

Ecuador and its Galápagos Islands: Ecotravellers' Wildlife Guide
by Dave Pearson and Les Beletsky; 2000
published by Academic Press, 416 pages paperback

Experience tropical forest and other stunning habitats and catch glimpses of exotic wildlife, such as toucans and parrots, monkeys and anteaters, frogs and toads, crocodiles and snakes. On the Galapagos Islands, curious visitors want to see with their own eyes the exotic, unique and tame wildlife that stimulated Charles Darwin to formulate the theory of evolution. Provides the information you need to find, identify and learn about Ecuador's magnificent animal and plant life. The authors, professional biologists, selected for colour illustrations more than 500 of Ecuador's most common insects, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals - the species you are most likely to see. In one easy-to-carry book, you will have as constant companion on your journey, information on identification, behaviour, habitats, common plants and parks and reserves in the region.

Flowering Plants of the Galápagos
by Conley K. McMullen; 1999
published by Cornell University Press 370 pages paperback

The first accessible, in-depth yet compact guide to the plant life of the area. An invaluable resource for tourists, natural history enthusiasts, and professionals. Introduces the botanical history of the islands and their varied ecological zones allows easy identification of 436 flowering plants (77 families, 192 genera, and 390 species) covers endemic plants found exclusively on the islands; native plants, which grow on the Galápagos and elsewhere; and exotic plants present as a result of human actions. Includes descriptive plant drawings to aid in identification and provides a map of the Galápagos and a list of plants likely to be seen at popular tourist sites.

Reef Fish Identification - Galápagos
by Paul Humann; 1993
published jointly by New World Publications, Jacksonville, Florida and Libri Mundi, Quito, Ecuador, 192 pages spiral bound

The most comprehensive fish identification guide ever published for the Galápagos Islands of Ecuador - a naturalist's fantasyland, so exotic that it altered the course of Western thought.